Verstappen looks for 'perfect weekend' in Japan
Max Verstappen said Thursday that he needs "a perfect weekend" to clinch his second straight Formula One championship at this weekend's Japanese Grand Prix.
Red Bull's runaway championship leader can secure the title at Suzuka if he gains eight points on nearest rival Charles Leclerc of Ferrari and six on team-mate Sergio Perez.
That would happen if Verstappen wins the race and claims the fastest lap, or if he finishes first and Leclerc finishes lower than second place.
The flying Dutchman is trying not to think too hard about wrapping up the title, despite 12 previous Formula One world champions having been crowned at the Japanese Grand Prix.
"It would be very nice if it was here, but if it doesn't happen here I will be even more in favour the next race," said the 25-year-old, who missed the chance to clinch the championship at last week's Singapore Grand Prix after a seventh-place finish.
"It doesn't really change anything, you just want to have a good weekend and maximise everything you can.
"I need a perfect weekend to be able to clinch the title here but to be honest I'm not really thinking about it too much."
Verstappen would become only the third driver after Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel to clinch the title with four races to spare if he gets the job done in Suzuka.
The Japanese Grand Prix returns after a three-year absence because of Covid and Verstappen is excited to be competing in front of the "crazy" Japanese fans again.
"They're very passionate – crazy but in a good way, and they really dress up," said Verstappen, who has won 11 of 17 races so far this season.
"You could see quite a few people walking around with a DRS rear wing on their heads. It shows you how popular motor sport is in Japan."
Verstappen's Red Bull car will carry a Honda logo at this weekend's race as part of a "strengthened relationship" with the Japanese company.
Honda officially left Formula One at the end of last season but signed an agreement to continue providing technical assistance in engine development to Red Bull and sister team Alpha Tauri until the end of the 2025 season.
Verstappen said winning the title in Japan would be "extra special" because of his team's relationship with Honda.
"It's great to see the full name back on the car," he said.
"It makes it extra special that they are back on the car just before their home grand prix. We have been working well together and it's been enjoyable."
Verstappen will be looking to improve on last weekend's performance, after a fuelling blunder in qualifying left him with too much work to do on the tight Marina Bay street circuit.
Verstappen called the race "a prime example of how you don't want a weekend to go" but insisted there was "not really much to change" in Japan.
"They all know that it was a bad weekend but we have also shown this year that we have had a lot of good weekends so we know how to do it," he said.
-
50 Places to Eat and Drink Before You DieSolskjaer urges Man United to find cutting edgeChemistry tweaks make for rechargeable zincCardiff to appeal FIFA ruling over Sala transfer paymentThe Eyes of Lacy驾校教练“吃拿卡要”要下课Facebook facial recognition updates settings for easy turn offFacebook facial recognition updates settings for easy turn off13 Unbelievable Underwater Wonders in FloridaFacebook facial recognition updates settings for easy turn off
下一篇:Why Kamala Harris triggers Donald Trump so intensely.
- ·高温难耐,工会驿站化身“清凉小屋”
- ·'Less scary' PSG face challenge of surprising Angers
- ·Political debates have seeped into everything this year, including Taylor Swift's new app
- ·'Misinformer of the Year' award goes to Mark Zuckerberg
- ·Microwave technique recovers 87% of batteries' lithium in 15 minutes
- ·US condemns N. Korea's missile launches as UNSC resolution violation
- ·South Korean agency seeks to block access to propaganda song praising NK leader
- ·S. Korean pro
- ·DOJ accuses TikTok of collecting and sharing users' personal views, as the app fights a ban
- ·秋季多咳嗽 警惕小儿支气管炎
- ·S. Korean pro
- ·农度丨玉米芯、野草、甘蔗渣……农业废弃物进出口后竟然变成宝!
- ·Best CPU Deals, AMD vs Intel: Holiday CPU Buying Guide
- ·国家一级保护野生动物中华秋沙鸭连续3年在南水湖越冬
- ·Solskjaer urges Man United to find cutting edge
- ·Transparent solar cells don't steal light from greenhouse crops
- ·Military prosecutors indict intel official over leaking 'black agent' info
- ·拍好新闻照片 记录时代步伐
- ·“五见面”措施 强化客运车辆安全源头管理
- ·Apple might launch some very powerful Macs at WWDC
- ·World's first 18650
- ·Hollywood power players team up to fight sexual misconduct, led by Anita Hill
- ·Rose McGowan and Meryl Streep's dispute makes us forget the real villain
- ·Neuer out to settle Germany's keeper debate against Spurs
- ·尝“鲜”盛宴,等你来探!2024年清远西牛麻竹笋尝鲜季即将启幕
- ·US condemns N. Korea's missile launches as UNSC resolution violation
- ·采购商+48,英德红茶在泉城济南蹭蹭涨粉
- ·Political debates have seeped into everything this year, including Taylor Swift's new app
- ·聚焦润联·美家居:大市场 配套齐 选择多 更放心
- ·'Portal' is back (sort of) with a fun new puzzle game
- ·Yoon, US Senate's armed service committee chief discuss alliance, N.K. threats
- ·报废车辆上路出事故 特勤大队强制拆解报废
- ·Apple might launch some very powerful Macs at WWDC
- ·UN panel allows S. Korea to provide fuel to N. Korea: report
- ·It's Unnecessary But, AMD Is Basically Lying About CPU Performance
- ·报废车辆上路出事故 特勤大队强制拆解报废